Music of the Black Power Movement

“Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” – James Brown (1968): As 1968 progressed, we see the rise of blacknationalism as the United States continues the Vietnam War despite widespread protest and outcry, as well as the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr and Robert Kennedy. Many black people had lost faith in the American government to stand in and protect their civil liberties, even with the ratification of theCivil Rights Act, leading to the growth of support for black nationalist groups. “Say It Loud” was revolutionary at the time of its release as it was one of the most explicit, in-your-face examples of self-pride and pride in one’s race. Coinciding with Brown’s switch from his pressed hair to an afro, this song served to not only declare that his blackness was as much a part of him as his music, and he reaffirmed his pride, strength, and resiliency through it. This agenda to love oneself and their blackness, as well as to instill pride, is furthered with the use of children’s voices, as Brown recruited students from nearby schools in the Compton, California area. This song was also widely sample in hip-hop and rap music throughout the late 20th century, and even currently used as a pop culture reference in television, movies, and other forms of media.

Lyrics:

Uh, with your bad self

Say it louder (I got a mouth)

Say it louder (I got a mouth)

Look a-here, some people say we got a lot of malice

Some say it’s a lotta nerve

I say we won’t quit moving

Til we get what we deserve

We’ve been buked and we’ve been scorned

We’ve been treated bad, talked about

Just as sure as you’re born

But just as sure as it take

Two eyes to make a pair, huh

Brother, we can’t quit until we get our share

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

One more time

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud, huh

I’ve worked on jobs with my feet and my hands

But all the work I did was for the other man

And now we demand a chance

To do things for ourselves

We tired of beating our heads against the wall

And working for someone else

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud, ooh-wee

Ooh-wee, you’re killing me

Alright, uh, you’re out of sight

Alright, so tough, you’re tough enough

Ooh-wee, uh, you’re killing me, ow

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud

Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves

We tired of beating our heads against the wall

And working for someone else

A look a-here

One thing more I got to say right here

Now, we’re people like the birds and the bees

We rather die on our feet,

Than keep living on our knees

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud, huh

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud, huh

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud, Lord-a, Lord-a, Lord-a

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud, oooh

Uh, alright now, good Lord

You know we can do the boog-a-loo

Now we can say we do the Funky Broadway!

Now we can do, huh

Sometimes we dance, we sing and we talk

You know I do like to do the camel walk

Alright now, huh, alright,

Alright now, ha

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud, let me hear ya

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud

Now we demand a chance to do things for our ourselves

We’re tired of beating our heads against the wall

And working for someone else, huh

Now we’re our people, too

We’re like the birds and the bees,

But we’d rather die on our feet

Than keep-a living on our knees

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud, let me hear ya, huh

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud, huh

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud

Ow, ooh-wee, you’re killing me, alright

Uh, outta sight, alright, you’re outta sight

Ooh-wee, oh Lord

Ooh-wee, you’re killing me

Ooh-wee, ooh-wee, ooh-wee, ooh-wee, ow

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud, huh

Say it louder,

I’m black and I’m proud, Lord I feel it

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

Say it loud,

I’m black and I’m proud

“Feeling Good” – Nina Simone (1965): With 1965 comes a turn in musical expression of self-love and affirmation with Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”. The song was originally written and performed in the Broadway play “The Roar of the Greasepaint—The Smell of the Crowd”, but was considered a classic after Simone covered it. The song, hopeful in its message, discusses the positive things in life and nature. The world is still turning and life is still going on despite anything that may have happened in the past. Unlike the music of the Harlem Renaissance, the self-love and affirmation conveyed through this song are not subversive, but very plainly stated. Granted, this song doesn’t specifically address anything going on in or with the black community, Ms. Simone was able to make it relatable to her audience. There is an importance in the fact that the song was given new purpose through Nina Simone’s recording; this is most likely due to the ability of Ms. Simone to convey deep emotion through her performances. Simone, also referred to as the High Priestess of Soul, was known for her musical genius. A child prodigy, she played piano in her mother’s church from five years old, and was later admitted to Juilliard. After being denied from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, which some say was due to her race, she was forced to make money by giving piano lessons and performing in night clubs. While she never admitted any mental illness, Simone’s friends and family often claim that she suffered from bipolar disorder or manic depression. Performing gave her the opportunity to express herself freely and be appreciated for it. With this freedom of expression, Nina Simone was able to give so much of herself in her performances that she made her music fit not only her own reality but the realities of many of her listeners.

Lyrics:

Birds flying high, you know how I feel

Sun in the sky, you know how I feel

Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel

It’s a new dawn

It’s a new day

It’s a new life

For me, ohh

And I’m feeling good

Fish in the sea, you know how I feel

River running free, you know how I feel

Blossom on the tree, you know how I feel

It’s a new dawn

It’s a new day

It’s a new life

For me

And I’m feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don’t you know

Butterflies all havin’ fun, you know what I mean

Sleep in peace when day is done

That’s what I mean

And this old world is a new world

And a bold world

For me

Stars when you shine, you know how I feel

Scent of the pine, you know how I feel

Oh, freedom is mine

And I know how I feel

It’s a new dawn

It’s a new day

It’s a new life

For me, ohh

I’m feeling good

“What’s Goin’ On?” – Marvin Gaye (1971): In the 70s, Marvin Gaye released an album that was never supposed to make it out of Motown Records. Through this was a tumultuous time in his life, with his musical partner dying, his brother being in Vietnam, his marriage issues, a cocaine addiction, money trouble, and a suicide attempt, he still felt it necessary to rebel against his record label and create music that discussed social issues. “What’s Goin’ On” addressed police brutality, criticisms of the war, and racism. At this time in history, the country was still reeling from riots while also dealing with anti-war protests. Gaye himself even discussed how experiencing the riots, hearing his brother’s horror stories, and seeing the treatment of veterans after they came back from Vietnam changed his music’s path and his life’s passion. After pursuing other interests for some time, he eventually realized that music could be his form of protest. Despite the personal trouble in Gaye’s life, he eventually found new purpose and direction through addressing the plight of black America. This new start in his career was a form of self-love and affirmation, as his numerous personal issues aside, he regained his passion by advocating for other members of his community. Marvin Gaye’s song “What’s Goin’ On” then sparked an entire album that touched on social justice issues that is still played and brought into conversation when talking about the state of affairs in the United States.